The Long Trail

 sam and max
 on the trail again
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August 18  

Another glorious day on the LT, another 10 miles down towards our goal. We both are having serious foot pain as the nerves in our feet get pounded - if we were out longer, they'd soon go numb and we wouldn't have this problem any more. Today I was pivoting with my left toe on a rock and the bolt of pain that lit up my toe was so severe that I was certain I had just split the toe wide open. I waited a moment to feel if any blood was soaking my shoe but it was nothing but nerve pain and I moved on. I'm sure this also happened on the AT but I sure don't remember it.

Today we crossed over Jay Peak, the highest one left before the end. It looked like it was going to be a steep monster to climb but it was actually not bad at all, almost enjoyable, even. At the top there was a tram station and a ski lift and lots of tourists enjoying the gorgeous weather. We first ran into a family having a picnic who shared their watermelon with us and then caught us eyeing the rest of the spread. Later we were chatting with the tram operator who offered us a free ride to the bottom (and back) where we could get

Jay's Peak
On Jay Peak

pizza. Wow, was that tempting! I can hardly believe we turned it down - and only because tomorrow is our last day and we'll soon be feasting in town. We also got 3 mint cookies from a family up there, quizzing us on the LT and hiking. Lots of very nice people on Jay Peak! Not only that but the view was glorious - all the way back to Camel's Hump and north way into Canada (not quite to Montreal). There was a warming hut up there with flush toilets and a sink where I washing my hands for the first time all week. I'm definitely out of practice. As I walked back outside, I looked down and saw a dirt streak still between my ring finger and pinky.

We're now at Laura Woodward Shelter, just north of Jay Peak, with 9 miles left for tomorrow. We heard there's rain coming in tomorrow afternoon, so we're hoping to finish by about noon and beat it here! I guess even if it does rain on us, we're headed to a hotel to get dry anyway.